Utilising network dimensioning to improve automated cell planning

WCDMA radio network dimensioning is a process by which an estimate of the number of sites and the possible configurations of each site can be obtained. Network dimensioning activities can include link budget calculations (that provide information on the coverage of a service area) and capacity estimations (based on initial load factor calculations). Accurate network dimensioning can help provide good initial site selection and configuration, which benefits the ensuing stages of the network planning process. Although the automation of cell planning has been well studied, our approach is novel, utilising the network dimensioning process to impact positively on the network design and optimisation phases of the network planning process.